One of my very favorite makeup items in all of existence is blush. Isn't it funny that we try so hard to cover up our rosy red cheeks when we become embarrassed, but then try to mimic that flush with makeup? I think there's something quite charming and attractive about a beautifully applied blush that can't be replaced by anything else in a makeup routine. Even with no other makeup on, it brings a liveliness to the face that I really adore.

There are plenty of techniques used to give us that effervescent, lit-from-within glow that we all seek but I've found one which is easy to master while helping to slim and contour the face at the same time...

Hello early January! It's time for another monthly hits & misses! Last month I found myself consistently grabbing the same products over and over but I think that is partially because of the fact that a few new products I bought have easily integrated into my daily routine. It's always a good sign when a new item steps in so easily, and I have a few of those in this month's favorites. :)


Products mentioned:
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow 890 Bronzed Taupe (swatched here)
Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch
Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
Milani Liquif'eye Pencil in Black
NARS Immaculate Complexion Concealer
Diorskin Poudre Shimmer in Amber Diamond


On me:
Nailpolish is Sally Hansen Diamond Strength 32 Tyin' The Knot (bought in this haul) with Sephora for OPI Traffic Stopper Copper on top
Lipstick is Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch
Sweater vest and coral blouse are from LOFT (recent, on sale in stores)
Sequined collar from H&M
Ring is YSL Arty in lapis

So one of things I really want to highlight this month is Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch. As you can see, in the tube it's an almost intimidatingly Barbie blue-pink.


Thankfully this is one tinted lip balm that truly does feel more like a balm than a lipstick and it swatches to a pretty, translucent pink that is still pigmented enough to make the lips super girly without drying them out.


Overall, I'm really loving this lip product! It sells for around $4 at drugstores and I've seen it for around $2 at Target so it's very affordable. I'm not a huge fan of the childish-looking packaging (I can do princessy childish but bright yellow puffy letters aren't really my thing) but I'll forgive it since it's a good all-in-one product that I can throw in my purse and easily apply on an everyday basis.


The other product I wanted to mention is the NARS "Immaculate Complexion" concealer in Custard. After being disappointed with quite a few concealers after the discontinuation of my favorite Lancome Photogenic potted concealer in Camee, this is the first one to be an adequate replacement. My biggest concealing concerns are my acne blemishes and post-acne hyperpigmentation spots and the dry formula works to cover these quite naturally. It doesn't give me breakouts or look cakey. I wouldn't recommend this for just undereyes but I find that even wearing just this over bare skin looks flattering on non-foundation days.

The only disappointment with this concealer for me is the value for the size. For $22, a 0.06oz product is super expensive! My Lancome favorite was $27 for 0.16oz which is over twice the amount of product. Knowing that the NARS one used to come in a larger lipstick bullet and downgraded the amount for the same price is only salt in the wound! For now, this is going to be my go-to concealer replacement but I'll keep my eyes out for a more affordable HG.


You may have also noticed that I was wearing an accessory that I've been lusting after for years, the YSL Arty ring. Hubby and I both had late arriving Christmas presents for each other and I am completely in love with this one! I received the lapis blue color which has gorgeous flecks of gold in it with medium-to-deep mottled royal blue. As a ring collector, I am totally obsessed and in awe of my new acquisition! The size 4 fits perfectly on my right middle finger.


That's it for this month's hits & misses. Hope you enjoyed it and please let me know in the comments some products I should try... Maybe someone out there has a perfect concealer for blemishes suggestion? A NARS dupe maybe? ;)

Hey guys! It's officially mid-November and I can't help but think to myself that time is traveling by extra-fast this month. Maybe it's because I've started preparing gifts for Christmas and, like last year, I am preparing to donate an item to the BeautyBloggers.org charity auction. I'll give more information about this year's auction closer to the starting date (Nov 28th) but as a little teaser, I am donating a very special lipstick this year. ;) 

As I mentioned in the video, my favorite types of perfumes are fruity-florals and I try to avoid perfumes that have baby powdery scents and "old lady" classic perfume scents like the plague. They just don't work with my personal body chemistry and end up smelling very flat and unflattering.

I also appreciate adorable packaging like this cute DKNY Be Delicious apple! ^_^


Here are my top 5 altogether in their cute glass bottles.


Paris Hilton (2005)
Fragrance Notes: Frozen Apple, Peach Nectar, Wet Ozone, Sparkling Muguet, Freesia, Mimosa, Jasmine, Tuberose, Skin Musk, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Oakmoss, Pheromone.

I'd describe this one as being "cute and sexy" on me. It's on the sweeter end of perfumes I like but it's great for a night out. It's purported secret ingredient is pheromone in case you want to bring all the boys to the yard.


Marc Jacobs Daisy (2007)
Fragrance Notes: Violet Leaves, White Woods, Strawberry, Gardenia, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Jasmine Petals, Violet Petals, Vanilla, Musk

This perfume is a lighter floral that is a bit preppy and appropriate for everyday. It's not too strong that it's distracting but it's still nice and put-together. I also find that this one doesn't seem to change on different people's skin as much as other perfumes, or maybe it just smells good on most people. The clean wearability reminds me of Clinique's Happy perfume and it's a good "starter" perfume for those new to fragrances.


L L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani (2007)
Fragrance Notes: Water Hyacinth, Violet, Fresh Pear, White Freesia, Jasmine, Muguet, Sweet Pea, Rose, Orange Blossom, Heliotrope, Peach

This perfume is one of my more sophisticated and heavier perfumes and has fresh, floral top notes but definitely has a cooler, muskier base to it that is more masculine than my other perfume picks. I like it for an elegant date night since it's very classy.


DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom (2009)
Fragrance Notes: Apricot, Cassis, Grapefruit, Smooth Skin Accord, Blond Woods, Jasmine, Rose, Apple, Muguet

I really love this perfume as an everyday daytime fragrance. It's a bit sweet, floral, and feminine. The "Fresh Blossom" name originally scared me since I usually stay away from heavy florals but it's actually quite light and I absolutely love undertones of apple in it. It's a really nice balance of florals without trying too hard.



Some honorable mentions I wanted to include are:

Burberry Brit Sheer
A fresh, fruity floral that I don't own yet but want! I recall it being slightly more citrusy than my other loves, which I enjoy.



Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto Shine


Lacoste Essential
Clean, fresh, long-lasting, and sliiiightly citrusy without losing any masculinity in the process. Ugh, so sexy. I die. This is my current favorite cologne.